Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms - What to Look For! - Chances are you have heard of Vitamin B12. But, would you know what to look for in a deficiency? There are the signs and symptoms.
Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms - What to Look For!
By Wendy Polisi
Aug 27, 2010 - 2:52:33 PM
B-12 is a nutrient that is soluble in water.
However, it is distinctive from the majority
of water soluble vitamins in that it is never excreted in urine. Alternatively,
it accumulates in the human body, mostly within your liver. For an individual
to develop a b12 deficit, you have got to either consume or absorb low levels
of B12 for many years. Authorities believe that it can take 6 years or more of
your body not getting adequate B12 before symptoms will begin showing up.
There are many consequences of experiencing low B12 in your
body. One of the most commonly recognized is neurological problems that are so
extreme that they're typically mistaken for Alzheimer's disease. Left
untreated, this may lead to irreversible neurological impairment.
Well before it gets to this point, other symptoms of a B12
deficiency show up. Several early symptoms of low B12 levels include a fast
heart beat, lethargy, weakness, being light headed, pallor, bleeding gums, a
lack of appetite and stomach issues. When things progress a little more the
neurological symptoms start to take effect. Indications that neurological
injury has begun to occur include dementia, confusion, pins and needles in
hands and feet, depression, problems with dexterity and impulse control issues.
The problem is that there is such a wide variety of
symptoms, very often a b12 deficiency will either go undiscovered or be
mistaken for something else entirely. Many individuals accept some of the
earliest signs of B12 deficiency as an acceptable part of aging.
What most people do not understand is just how important it
can be to detect low levels of B12. Recent research demonstrates that lower
levels of B12 are connected with the progression of quite a few serious health
conditions. One illness that can develop is cardiovascular disease. When B12
levels inside the body are reduced, the homocysteine levels increase.
Homocysteine is actually a harmful amino acid which has been connected to the
development of chronic disease. Taking methyl-B12 shots has been shown to
decrease homocysteine levels in individuals who currently have high levels.
While virtually anyone can develop low levels of B12, a
number of groups which have a higher chance. B12 is found in fish, dairy and
meat. There is no non-synthetic plant source for B12. This places vegetarians
and especially vegans at very high risk. Absorption issues can also cause a b12
deficiency. Having experienced stomach surgery, a tapeworm infestation, and a
microbial overgrowth inside your intestinal tract can all make it impossible
for your body to absorb B12. Older people are also much more likely to have low
B12 levels.
If you are in a high risk group, using
supplemental b12 could be a wise decision. It's also wise to ask your doctor to
test your B12 levels.
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